Planning For Transit That Protects Air Quality

The Federal government could help communities better plan for transportationthat protects air quality.

1 minute read

August 2, 2002, 10:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


The General Accounting Office (GAO) has released the following testimony: "Environmental Protection: The Federal Government Could Help Communities Better Plan for Transportation That Protects Air Quality." GAO-02-988T: "Recognizing that transportation can affect the nation’s efforts to improve air quality, theCongress has provided funds for projects that protect air quality. Now, as the Congressbegins the work of reauthorizing the surface transportation programs,2 it will have toconsider whether to continue or revise these initiatives. To help inform this work, weare commenting on (1) the impacts of surface transportation on air quality; (2) thebenefits and limits of key federal surface transportation and clean air requirements andprograms designed to mitigate these impacts; and (3) ways the federal government canuse these requirements and programs to further reduce these impacts." Editor's note: the link below is to an Adobe PDF document.

Thanks to Sprawl Watch

Thursday, August 1, 2002 in U.S. General Accounting Office

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Two people walking away from camera through pedestrian plaza in street in Richmond, Virginia with purple and white city bus moving in background.

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA

The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

June 17, 2025 - WRIC

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

June 16, 2025 - Governing

For Rent sign on red stucco apartment building.

A Case for Universal Rental Assistance

A pair of researchers argues that expanding rental assistance programs for low-income households is the most effective way to alleviate the housing crisis.

12 minutes ago - The Conversation

Looking up at high-rise office buildings in New York City.

Office Conversions Have Increased Every Year This Decade

Since the pandemic, office vacancy rates remain high, leading many cities to adjust zoning codes to accommodate adaptive reuse.

6 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Man walking down city sidewalk with sweat on back of his t-shirt on hot day.

Index Measures Impact of Heat on Pedestrian Activity

When heat and humidity are high, people are more likely to opt for cars when possible.

7 hours ago - Streetsblog Mass

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.